MEMPHIS, Tenn. - The Statesmen (17-8-1, 3-2 GSC) of Delta State University claimed a sweep of a crucial Gulf South Conference doubleheader 19-3 and 19-0 over the Buccaneers (4-22, 0-5 GSC) of Christian Brothers University Saturday at Buc Field. DSU scored a combined 38 runs on 30 hits in the sweep.

Delta State claimed a 19-2 run-rule shortened victory over Christian Brothers in game one of a doubleheader Saturday, as the Statesmen scored 19 runs on 12 hits with one error, while CBU finished with three runs on nine hits with five errors.

The Statesmen erupted for 14 runs on six hits in the top of the second inning to take a commanding 14-0 lead over the Buccaneers in game one of Saturday's doubleheader at Buc Field. Cade Hoggard's three-run home run and Michael Niemann's three-RBI double proved to be the big hits in the inning.

CBU starter Jeff Dove (1-4) lasted just 1.2 innings, allowing seven runs on four hits with two walks. Lee Paine came out of the bullpen midway through the top of the second and surrendered seven runs on two hits with two walks.

The Buccaneers scratched out a run in the bottom of the second on Chance Ruggeroli's RBI groundout scoring David Alan Wright from third.

Delta State added two runs in the fifth for a 16-1 lead. After a single by Josh Gordon, a double by Michael Vinson and a hit-by-pitch to Will McGinnis, Patrick Taylor drew a hit-by-pitch to score Gordon and Chris Escobar flied out deep to right to plate Vinson.

The Statesmen extended the lead to 19-1 in the sixth after Vinson cleared the bases with a three-RBI triple to left center scoring Niemann,. Gordon and Hoggard.

CBU plated a run in the bottom of the sixth, as Josh Shelton drove in D.A. Wright with a triple to left, cutting the DSU lead to 19-2.

The Bucs added a meaningless run in the seventh to make the final 19-3.

Coach Mike Kinnison pulled starter Cody Kelley (4-0) after the fifth. The senior from Louisville pitched 5.0 innings allowing one run on six hits with six strikeouts to earn the win. Nathan Hardy worked the sixth and seventh, giving up two runs on three hits.

Vinson, a true freshman designated hitter from Southaven, led the Statesmen at the plate, going 5-for-5 with three runs scored and three RBIs.

Bill Ray Todd was the only other Statesmen to record multiple hits, as the senior from Bartlett, Tenn., went 2-for-3 with two runs scored and an RBI.

D.A. Wright led CBU at the plate, going 3-for-3 with two runs scored.

In game two, the Statesmen jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the top of the second inning, as Cade Hoggard scored on Chris Escobar's RBI groundout.

The Statesmen extended the lead to 3-0 in the third on Hoggard's RBI single to left plating Billy ray Todd. Patrick Taylor reached on an error by CBU, allowing Niemann to score from third.

The green-and-white put the game away in the fifth, scoring nine runs on six hits to go up 12-0.

In the seventh, the Statesmen added seven insurance runs with key at-bats coming on an RBI single by Hoggard and a two-RBI double by Vinson.

Jason Coats (4-0) continued the string of quality starts by Statesmen pitchers, facing just two batters over the minimum and surrendering just one hit to earn the win. The senior from Starkville also recorded five strikeouts in 6.0 scoreless innings of work. Jeffrey Vance worked the seventh to close the door on CBU, allowing two hits.

CBU's Alex Sikes (1-3) was the hard luck loser in game two. Sikes allowed eight runs, with only four earned, on eight hits in 4.1 innings of work.

Hoggard and Vinson finished with three RBIs each, while Patrick Taylor tallied three hits and Josh Gordon and Will McGinnis collected two hits apiece. 

DSU finished the game with 19 runs on 18 hits with one error, while CBU collected three hits and committed four errors.

The Statesmen and Buccaneers close out the series Sunday with a single game. First pitch is set for 1 p.m. at Buc Field. The game will be broadcast on the Statesmen Sports Network starting at 12:45 p.m.